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Bridgepoint Group to Acquire Obagi Medical
The UK firm investment firm has agreed to purchase the clinical skincare label from Waldencast for $460 million, with co-founders Michel Brousset and Hind Sebti departing the beauty conglomerate to join Bridgepoint.
I know what it’s like to be 80. We have reason to worry about Trump’s health
Physical and mental health aren’t easily separated, especially at our age. And the president is showing many concerning signs
As Beshear blasts politics at UK, he continues to appoint big donors to UK board
In April Gov. Andy Beshear delivered a strong warning about partisan donors exerting "undue outside influence" on the direction of the University of Kentucky. But insiders, his donors, sit on the governing board.
Bundesliga unveils official match ball for 2026/27 season
Adidas has unveiled the official match ball for the upcoming 2026/27 season in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.Adidas will return as the official match ball supplier for the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesl...
Derek Harper expects Luka Doncic to retire with the Mavericks
Derek Harper expects Luka Doncic to retire with the Mavericks
Political commentators Cenk, Piker say UK bars them over Israel remarks
The US citizens allege that they have been denied entry to Britain due to their outspoken criticism of Israel.
Two US political commentators say they have been banned from entering UK
Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker say UK has stopped them travelling to speak at SXSW London
UK house prices fall for first time this year as Middle East crisis hits confidence
British house prices fell 0.6% in May, leaving them 1.7% higher than a year earlier, Nationwide reports
How UAE became Zimbabwe’s top customer, buying half of everything it exports
The UAE has surpassed South Africa as Zimbabwe’s top export market, accounting for half of the countrys export earnings as bilateral trade is projected to exceed $6 billion in 2026
AI is devoid of meaning and humanity. That’s why its vapid voice suits this political moment
For ease and speed, we are degrading our ability to connect and to organise our societies. We must assert our trust in humans over machines, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
NHS single patient record to be debated for first time
Reforms to the NHS records system could result in 20,000 fewer visits to A&E annually, according to government projections.
EXCLUSIVE: EU weighs excluding military-age Ukrainian men from extended protection scheme
Some EU capitals argue the framework should be revised to support Ukraine’s war effort, with any limits applying only to future applicants
Steve Hilton smashed up UK politics — now he wants to upend California’s
The onetime British Conservative Party adviser has a shot at making the top-two runoff in next week’s gubernatorial primary.
Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Francisco Giants
Crew returns home for four-game set with former friend Willy Adames, Giants
Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski Produces Historic Month of May
Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski posted a historic month of May.
Hasan Piker says UK has barred him, trashes 'unbelievable...power' of pro-Israel groups
Hasan Piker faces a turbulent week after a Treasury subpoena over his Cuba trip, heckling at a Newark protest and a reported UK travel ban.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Elevance Health (ELV): One of the Best Undervalued Stocks to Buy According to the Financial Media
Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is one of the Best Undervalued Stocks to Buy According to the Financial Media. On May 19, Evercore ISI added the company to its Tactical Outperform list for Q2, noting that Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV) is expected to see strong upside in EPS this year, provided current trends hold or improve. […]
Ukraine's pitch to Silicon Valley: Bring AI, we'll bring experience
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to deepen ties between Ukraine and Silicon Valley's defense tech startups.
Trump Hits the Stalemate Phase of His Interventions in Gaza, Ukraine and Now Iran
In Ukraine, Gaza and now Iran, President Trump’s early declarations of easy wins have given way to harsh reality.
Eagles defenders poised for larger roles entering 2026 season
From Jalyx Hunt to Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Andrew Mukuba, several Eagles defenders are positioned for larger roles entering 2026.
The Guardian view on the Aberdeen South byelection: the politics of energy take centre stage
Editorial: While Westminster’s attention is focused on Andy Burnham and Makerfield, another pivotal byelection is taking place in Scotland’s north-east
Nicola’s only crime was to love too much. And to not notice the Jaguar on the drive
Rather than being one of the shrewdest operators in British politics for a decade, it turns out Sturgeon was just too trusting
Annual Duke Hospice Gala
Raleigh's source for breaking news and live streaming video online. Covering Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville and the greater North Carolina region.
Man Utd kid Tyler Fletcher's remarkable Scotland World Cup call
Tyler Fletcher was expecting to go to the World Cup as a fan this summer - now he could be playing in it for Scotland.
Sturgeon's personal life and politics collide in BBC interview
BBC Scotland's political editor Glenn Campbell gives his take on Nicola Sturgeon's first media interview since her estranged husband admitted embezzling £400,000 from the SNP.
Kostyuk beats four-time French Open winner Swiatek
Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek is knocked out in the fourth round as Marta Kostyuk continues her superb run of form.
Ukraine tells West: Drone command centers must be mobile, underground
Drone command centers, units, and operators are highly valuable targets, so Ukraine keeps them mobile and underground.
Sky exits UAE news venture after genocide denial accusations
Sky News Arabia to retain its name in brand licensing deal after criticism of its coverage of the war in Sudan
Sweeping roofs top bright red logistics hub in Ukraine by Aranchii Architects
Metal panels with a bright red finish cloak the warehouse-like forms at Prostir Business Hub in Ukraine, completed by Aranchii Architects.
📲 Big Sunday with Brazil, Brasileirão and more; see the schedule
Today's Highlights 🔥International Friendlies07:25 – Japan vs. Iceland – SporTV12:30 – Poland vs. Ukraine – SporTV15:45 – Germany vs. Finland – ESPN, Disney+ Premium16:30 – United Stat...
Mr. Basketball, Miss Basketball share unique distinction as state champions
Indiana All-Star week: Mr. Basketball Luke Ertel of Mt. Vernon and Miss Basketball Gracyn Gilliard of Center Grove the rare double state champion duo.
More padel courts plea amid rising demand
Bradford Council is considering five applications to build courts as padel's popularity soars.
Women hope renaming PCOS health condition could help millions of women worldwide
Rochelle Lewis is among more than 170 million woman globally to be diagnosed with PCOS.
Recruiter who was allowed to buy back his insolvent firm falls behind on payments after offering staff Vegas trip
Premier Group Recruitment went into administration with debts of £2.9m – including £647,000 owed to HMRC
Watch: Sturgeon tells BBC's Laura Kuenssberg: 'I will not apologise for crimes of my former husband'
The former first minister of Scotland says she feels she is "serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit".
Virginia Tech football: WV OL Luke Braham commits to Hokies
The Hokies landed their commitment of the weekend on Saturday night.
NCAA baseball tournament: Milwaukee drills UCF in Auburn Regional
The UCF Knights fell into a 9-0 hole after three innings against Milwaukee and never recovered in their Auburn Regional matchup.
Victor Wembanyama's backup Luke Kornet jokingly accepts LeBron James comparison after chasedown block in Game 7
WSU shut down by Oregon pitching, falls 4-0
WSU dropped a heartbreaker to the Ducks on Saturday night, losing 4-0. WSU got a masterful performance from senior Luke Meyers who pitched into the 7th, and Oregon only led 1-0 entering the ninth. The Ducks finally struck gold in the top of the inning, launching a three-run shot over the center field fence. PK […]
Vikings Hire New GM — and Fans Love It
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t employed an official general manager since before the Super Bowl, firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on January 30th. […]
Trump news at a glance: president in ‘excellent health’, his doctor says after routine medical check
Three-page memo released by White House provides overview of 79-year-old president’s medical checkup– key US politics stories from Saturday, 30 May at a glance
'It's football and it's cruel
It's devastating to lose a Champions League final on penalties. Arsenal's starting XI had played a combined 21,458 league minutes for the Gunners in 2025-26, which was 6,081 more than PSG's line-up.
Financial fitness tips for mental health
Two-thirds of adults cite money as a significant source of stress, according to the American Psychological Association Stress in America Survey.
'If you're in pain, then go through the pain'
"We haven't done it for 22 years [reached the Champions League final], so imagine the second time in our history that we have done it, and we need to recognise the season we had, but at the moment nobody is going to take the pain away from you."
Iowa Democrats face tough Senate primary choice in effort to flip GOP seat
Iowa Democrats face a difficult choice between two similar candidates in a high-stakes Senate primary amid a tough GOP landscape.
London man completes 1,000 parkruns after mental health struggle
Darren Wood, from Carshalton, says taking part in the community event has saved his life.
Medical or a PR exercise? Why presidents get annual check-ups
Every president in modern history - including Donald Trump this week - has taken an annual physical exam that is as much about messaging as it is about health.
Sajid Javid says backing Liz Truss to lead Tories was his ‘biggest political mistake’
Former chancellor also tells Hay festival ‘good riddance’ to Tory MPs defecting to Reform
White House releases memo describing results of Trump’s health checkup
President in ‘excellent’ health, despite ‘lower leg swelling’ and hand bruising after fourth hospital visit in second term
LA’s glitzy new sports hub set for World Cup and Olympics – will local residents share in the boom?
With three top stadiums, Inglewood is remaking itself as a host of world-class events – and while some locals love the transformation, others feel left behind
Hopes £25m health hub will bring trade boost to Plymouth traders
The Community Diagnostics Centre in Plymouth's West End is due to open on 23 June.
Could the unlikely savior of US college sports be … Donald Trump?
As universities prepare to spend millions paying athletes directly, fears mount that Olympic and women’s sports will pay the price. An improbable figure could well stop it
Oleksandra Oliynykova will not separate her Grand Slam success from advocacy for Ukraine
Oliynykova's first third-round appearance at a Grand Slam comes against Russia's Diana Shnaider, a player she has directly criticized.
Eating ice cream too fast? Brain freeze says a surprising amount about your health
If you’re having ice cream headaches often, it might be worth seeing if it runs in your family and taking a second look at your non-brain-freeze headaches too.
Trump in excellent health after annual checkup, doctor says
The White House releases the results of the US president's latest medical examination, which states he is "fully fit" to carry out his duties.
From Backrooms to Paul McCartney: your complete entertainment guide to the week ahead
A horror film takes on the internet craze for user-generated paranormal tales, and Macca returns with his most affecting songs in years
What is a blue micromoon and when is the best time to see it this weekend?
A blue micromoon is a rare spectacle, though it’s not as blue or as micro as you might imagine
Week in Portland women’s sports (5/29)
Week in Portland women’s sports (5/29)
Caitlin Clark Reacts After Emotional Personal Announcement on Friday
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark shared a heartfelt reaction after a children's hospital revealed the impact of her visit with a 10-year-old boy battling leukemia.
Buzz on Business: The Oaks Up for Sale, Burgers on Main Opens
Above: The Oaks Tavern, at the corner of Queen and Duke streets. And Hurd Chevrolet continues tradition of donating to EG Little League Do you have an update you’d like to see included here regarding an 02818 business? Whether it’s small or big news, we’d like to hear from you! Share the buzz: editor@eastgreenwichnews.com. It […]
Astros vs. Brewers Game Thread: Game 59, 5/29/2026
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (26-32), who have won six of their last seven games, will open a 10-day, nine-game homestand tonight against the NL Central division leading Milwaukee Brewers (33-20). RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-3, 2.19 ERA), a native of Taiwan, will get the start for the Astros tonight on AAPI night at the ballpark. […]
UWM takes home first NCAA Tournament win in 27 years, defeating Auburn 13-8
The Panthers pulled ahead early, making the score 10-0 by the fourth inning.
Duke Basketball's Opponent Set for 2026 Jimmy V Classic
The Blue Devils will play in the 2026 Jimmy V Classic.
Who's tired? Bukayo Saka warns PSG: 'It's moments, not minutes, that will decide Champions League final'
Despite playing far more minutes than their French opponents this season, Mikel Arteta's side say they're rested and ready for a shot at European glory
National Science Foundation reportedly imposed rare funding freeze on Duke for nearly 2 months
According to an exclusive report in Nature, the NSF’s Office of Award Management placed a hold on new funding April 9 to Duke, Harvard, Yale and Princeton. Since publication of their article, some grants have been released to Duke.
Exploring the Science Behind Pressure
The feature film Pressure, starring Andrew Scott as James Stagg and Brendan Fraser as General Dwight D. Eisenhower, opens today. It tells the story of Stagg, the UK Met Office meteorologist who served…
Wolverhampton MP pushing to address fly-tipping 'health hazard'
MP Sureena Brackenridge is concerned about a large amount of fly-tipping in Heath Town.
Don’t shoot for the moon: aiming for ‘above average’ is key to success, maths suggests
Model created by researchers shows better outcomes are often more likely when people are not too ambitious
Republican mistrust in healthcare widens US health gap, study finds
Republicans increasingly avoid doctors and vaccines, widening health gaps with Democrats, researchers say
WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel amended
WHO Member States adopted a resolution to amend the ‘WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel’ (the Code) and strengthen its implementation, following Member State-led consultations in the lead up to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly. The resolution marks an important step towards the vision that everyone, everywhere can access competent and motivated health and care workers, as a foundation for both universal health coverage and global health security. Key additions to the Code focus on: inclusion of provisions on health personnel recruited internationally for employment as care workers; applicability of the Code recommendations during emergencies; and encouraging co-investment in health systems and health workforce to ensure international recruitment results in proportional benefits for source and destination countries.Since its adoption by the Sixty-third World Health Assembly in 2010, the Code has undergone three rounds of review of its relevance and effectiveness. “We welcome the resolution’s focus on sustainable and ethical mobility of health personnel,” explained Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General, Health Systems, Access and Data. “The Code’s adoption in 2010 was a landmark achievement. Following this update, we encourage all countries to enhance implementation, including by viewing co-investment as a win-win.” The additions were recommended by an Expert Advisory Group appointed by the WHO Director-General. The Expert Advisory Group’s final report noted the progress in health workforce data availability, provision of migrant health worker rights and the embedding of ethical recruitment principles in national policies. It also highlighted areas of possible improvement in the Code implementation, including support for the strengthening of health systems in source countries.The adoption of the resolution follows extensive consultations led by Member States, underscoring the continued relevance of the Code in a context of increasing international mobility of health workers and growing pressure on health systems resulting from global health emergencies and funding constraints.WHO is already taking forward actions called for in the resolution. An updated version of the ‘WHO health workforce support and safeguards list’, that guides ethical recruitment practices by identifying countries facing the most pressing health workforce challenges, will be published later in 2026. As recommended by the Expert Advisory Group, this will include additional flexibility enabling countries to indicate their willingness to allow active international recruitment, or for Member States not on the list to request tailored support and safeguards. This approach reflects a more nuanced, country-led framework that balances workforce mobility with the need to protect and strengthen health systems in vulnerable settings.“I thank the members of the Expert Advisory Group, the group of Member States who led the resolution, and all Member States for their constructive engagement,” added Dr Nakatani. “Let’s bring this spirit of collaboration to our collective efforts to implement the resolution, strengthen the health workforce and build resilient and equitable health systems.”
Closing the diagnostics gap key to improving women's health
We must redesign women's health systems around early detection and integrated care, and recognize diagnostics as being foundational to effective care.
CHAI releases AI governance guidance for health systems
The resources aim to offer a standard but flexible framework for health systems, regardless of their size or available resources, the industry group said.
Russia is sending swarms of cheap drones after single soldiers
Russia has gone from not wanting to use drones against a single Ukrainian to now using "up to 15 drones to kill a single soldier," an official said.
Trump: the boy who cried ‘peace’ in the Middle East
This week, as the US-Iran deal remains in a precarious state, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group about why Trump keeps changing his mind on what to do to end the war
Kent business owners say water disruption is hurting their trade
South East Water says 22,000 customers across the county have been impacted.
Asda taps Ocado for automation in UK stores starting 2027
Online grocery technology firm Ocado Group said on Friday it has won a partnership with British supermarket group Asda to roll out its automation platform across Asda's stores and dark stores starting in 2027.
Sunbed firm in hot seat over false claims that tanned skin protects against sunburn
Health organisations refute assertion by Sunbed Association that tanning is protective and warn it could increase risk of skin cancer
Where's Ma Keys: Meet the pupils running their own business in school
Their company, called Where's Ma Keys, makes and sells gifts, key-rings and sensory items.
UK business sentiment edges up in May, Lloyds says
British business sentiment edged up in May and is now close to its level before the Iran war, according to a monthly survey by Lloyds on Friday which contrasted with most other measures of business and consumer sentiment.
A Republican club is back in Miami Beach after 30 years. That’s not a fluke
Republicans are organizing again on Miami Beach as Florida’s political shift continues | Opinion
Health worker training program to improve vaccine communication leads to spinout social enterprise
A training initiative to improve UK health workers' vaccine conversations is proving so successful that a University of Bristol-led spinout has been created to continue the important work. Generating ...
From The Sports Desk: French Open field wide open, after Sinner’s surprise exit
Jannik Sinner appeared to fall ill on Thursday, dealing with the heat, as he lost in the second round of Roland Garros. Plus, “Milwaukee Messi” is today’s World Cup spotlight.
Renault Group’s climate ambition based on science
Press ReleaseMay 28, 2026 Renault Group’s climate ambition based on science In 2019, Renault Group was the first carmaker to rely on science-based climate targets.Renault Group is announcing the renewal of its science-based targets, with a new approval of its near- and long-term targets by the Science Based Targets initiative. These targets are supported by the product momentum of futuREady strategic plan. Boulogne-Billancourt, May 28, 2026 In 2019, Renault Group was the first carmaker to rely o
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) and Three Other Science and Technology Institutes Launch Korea’s Largest Student Startup League, “GRAVITY 2026” to Foster Global Startups
-Offering a total prize pool of KRW 200 million and overseas acceleration opportunities, the program provides full-scale support for student startup teams preparing to debut on the global stage.
Dems in Maine's Trump-friendly district back Platner despite party backlash
Maine Democrats vying for Jared Golden's House seat lined up behind Graham Platner, exposing a rift with centrists who rebuked his Senate candidacy.
Scottish independence: try, try again?
‘Symbolic’ push for referendum shows ‘Scotland’s constitutional future has returned to the core of British politics’
Garner Health Raises $100 Million to Expand Best-Doctor Ranking
Garner Health, a startup that’s developed a financial incentive for patients to go to high-quality doctors, raised $100 million in a late-stage funding round to expand the company’s reach.
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for 3% funding target
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
Polish scientists and students rally in campaign for better conditions
Polish scientists and students have been flooding social media with calls on the government to raise research and development spending as part of 3% for Science, 100% for Poland, a campaign born earlier this month out of frustration with chronic underfunding in the academic sector. On May 27, thousands took the slogan on to the streets.The EU has been trying to convince member states to raise their R&D expenditures to 3% of GDP for more than two decades, but the idea has never gained traction in capitals. Finance ministers were too busy plugging budget holes created in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, then the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and now the war in Iran.Critics say that countries missed or ignored the target because it is voluntary, but also because research communities have rarely raised their voice to put pressure on national governments. The European Commission hopes to make the target legally binding in the upcoming European Research Area Act, an EU-wide regulation that should be announced by the end of the year. Academia in Poland has been faced with a funding crisis for years, often leaving its members with no other choice but to work abroad in order to access better resources, or leave the sector altogether in the hope of earning a decent living. The risk, in the long-term, is that brain drain stifles local innovation capacity and technological competitiveness.In just a few weeks, the movement rallied nationwide support, including from major academic bodies and trade unions such as the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland and the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its public petition collected more than 23,000 signatures. On May 27, it formed the first large protest for science in Poland, gathering thousands of people in front of the parliament building in Warsaw.Ilona Uryga-Bugajska, representative of the Marie Curie Alumni Association Poland Chapter, was there. “The protest was peaceful, with no incidents reported, and the entire event took place in a respectful and calm atmosphere,” she said. Banners she saw in the crowd carried slogans such as “A little longer and I’ll be teaching in a supermarket,” “National culture, starvation salary,” “Stop the destruction of science,” “Passion will not pay the rent,” “Without action, don’t expect a better future,” and “Pull science out of the hole.” She also observed a strong presence of young researchers, who are on the frontline of Poland’s academic crisis.“Academics are usually people who prefer discussion, analysis, dialogue and compromise. We are not a group that protests easily,” said Katarzyna Marzec, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Jagiellonian University Medical College and AGH University of Krakow, who also took part. “But many of us feel that we have been pushed against the wall.”Aleksandra Rutkowska, translational neuroscientist and research group leader at the Medical University of Gdańsk, agreed. “Frustration in the scientific community is very high,” she said. “Science is often used politically as a symbol of innovation and modernity, but the everyday reality inside many institutions is much more difficult. There is a large gap between the public narrative and the actual condition of the sector.”Maria Wiktoria Górna, head of the structural biology group at the University of Warsaw and one of the organisers of the movement, told Science|Business that the campaign would continue without proven results. This might involve another strike in the autumn, she said. “Empty promises are not enough by now.”Campaign demandsAccording to Uryga-Bugajska, the organisers officially presented their demands and concerns to representatives of the government present at the event. These included Marek Gzik, deputy minister of science and higher education, and Karolina Zioło-Pużuk, secretary of state of that same ministry.The headline demand, for the government to increase national spending on R&D to 3% of GDP by 2030, should be within Poland’s economic capacity, Rutkowska said. “The real question is whether there is genuine long-term political commitment to treating science as a strategic priority rather than a slogan.”In 2024, R&D expenditure in Poland stood at 1.41% of GDP, which is slightly above the average for central and eastern Europe, with countries such as Czechia recording 1.82%, Hungary 1.31% and Romania 0.46%. However, it falls noticeably short of the EU average of 2.24%, which just a handful of countries exceed, including Germany, Belgium and Sweden.Campaigners are also asking for fair wages for scientific staff, including PhD stipends and junior academic salaries, which are widely considered uncompetitive. Starting doctoral scholarships amount to some €843 gross per month, when the statutory minimum wage stands at €1,135. By pushing early-career researchers out of Poland, growing precarity has caused a generational gap in the academic workforce, with just 25% of lecturers aged under 40. In this context, the movement fears that scientific careers could soon be accessible to a privileged minority only.Grzegorz Spólnik is a case in point. After 15 years working in mass spectrometry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, he decided to leave partly “to earn enough money to live a normal life,” he said. “At that time, my earnings were similar to those of people working in grocery shops, and the work-life balance is something that does not exist in science, or is very hard to achieve.”Now a senior field service engineer for Polish laboratory equipment supplier Bioanalytic, he would consider going back to research, “but never in the public sector, maybe some start-up or a big private company with ambitious R&D.”The campaigners want to see more support for basic research and have called for €236 million to be added to the budget of the National Science Centre (NCN) in 2027 so that the average grant application success rate does not fall below 25%.“At the protest, there was a banner I particularly liked: ‘NCN is not a lottery.’ Unfortunately, for many researchers, it increasingly feels exactly like one,” Marzec said. “Personally, I am one of the lucky ones. I work at two of the strongest institutions in the country, where the research standards are very high. I know that in many other institutions, the situation is much worse and obtaining funding for research at an early-career stage is becoming nearly impossible.”Rutkowska also considers herself fortunate. After studying abroad and holding a postdoctoral position, she returned to Poland, where her pay was supported through an NCN-funded project linked to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. “This also made me very aware that good research conditions in Poland often depend on external competitive funding rather than on stable support from the system itself,” she said.Long-term strategyBeyond the lack of funds for both salaries and grants, scientists believe that the issue is structural. “The biggest problem at the moment is the complete lack of a clear long-term strategy for the development of science and research from the current government,” Marzec said. “Everything ends with declarations and promises that are never truly followed by concrete actions or structural reforms.”Rutkowska agreed, citing a lack of infrastructure, continuity and long-term institutional support.“Running a research group in Poland often means functioning as an entire institution at once,” she said. “I am a principal investigator, a mentor, a recruiter, a project administrator and, when needed, still someone who returns to the lab bench to help with experiments,” she went on. “This creates a large hidden workload that takes time and energy away from actual science. At times, it feels as though scientists are no longer expecting extra help; we simply hope the system will stop creating additional obstacles that make research unnecessarily difficult.”Related articlesStrategic thinking: Germany funds joint research with Poland and FrancePoland to transfer €30M of regional funds to boost Horizon Europe participationPoland is funding fewer basic research grants as high inflation hitsIn short, “academics are expected to teach, publish papers, apply for grants and conduct high-quality research, while funding and salaries remain very limited,” said Uryga-Bugajska, who returned to her home country after 13 years in the UK.According to Marzec, another issue is the way that research institutions are evaluated. Previously, this took place every four years, with a clear differentiation between stronger and weaker institutions. “The current government, perhaps to avoid political backlash, effectively concluded that everyone is doing well, so in practice no meaningful evaluation took place,” she said.But in her view, “some form of serious assessment is necessary” to ensure the excellence and international competitiveness of Polish institutions, and to determine how to best use public resources and where institutional structures need reform. “Some institutions may need to rethink hiring practices in order to attract ambitious young researchers who are capable of obtaining competitive grants and building internationally visible research groups.” Rutkowska has already had to adapt. “When hiring PhD students, I often have to combine different funding sources creatively to make positions attractive enough for talented people to stay in science,” she said. “Many young researchers do not see a stable future in academia in Poland, and that is deeply worrying.”
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